Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-05-28
KID NIILLER'S VICTIM.
Our Minister to Bogota Caught in His Art
full Tolls.

Our Minister to Bogota Caught in His Art
full Tolls.
DR.. Valentine o. King, well-known ply
sician of San Antonio, Tex, and the present
United States minister to Bogota, had stir
ring experience in New York city with the
skilled and fascinating "Kid'' Miller, the
famous "bunco steerer," the former part
ner of Hungry Joe' and "Grand Cen
trail Pete" DR.. King is very pleasant gen
tleman, fifty-four years old, and knows little
about the traps laid for unwary strangers in
Gotham. He arrived in New York by the
Pacific mail steamship Colon from Aspin-
wall and put up at the Gilsey House. The
next morning while strolling past the Fifth
avenue Hotel he was accosted by 'Kid''
Miller, who grasped him by the hand and
appeared delighted to see him.
How are you, DR.. King?" he said warmly.
cts a long time since met you"
the Warmth of Ths then
troduced himself as "Dick" Richardson, a
son of J. w. Richardson, of the firm Of
Richardson & May, commission merchants.
doing business on Carondelet street, New
Orleans. DR.. King and Richardson had been
friends for long time, although they had
not met for fifteen years. The doctor knew
that Richardson had several sons, one OF
whom he was aware had settled in the North
after the war, and therefore the diplomat
was thrown off his guard, and, completely
ance, greeted him warmly as the son Of his
old friend.
They had drink together in neighhor-
ing bar-room, and then the "Kid," having
entirely gained his victims confidence pro-
ceeded to spread his net in the usual manner.
He had had rare luck in drawing two prizes
in an art lottery and had won two fine sets
of Bancroft's History of the United States.
He was on his way to get the prizes when he
met the doctor. If the doctor would accom-.
pany him he would be gratified to make him
a present of one of the sets. DR.. King said
but he was induced to accompany his young
friend Richardson to Ill East Twenty fifth
street. He was there introduced to Harry
Stetson, the manager of the establishment.
Stetson told the kid that in addition to
the books he had won a cash prize of $500,
paid in 800 for five tickets in the lottery.
"Kid' regretted that he had come out with
out money, and, turning to DR.. King, Dor.
rowed 800 from him, which he promised to
repay as soon as he got the prizecashed.
Then the "bunco" game was opened in
due form. 'Kid' played, and not only lost
the, $500, but $500 more, at least so it was
made to appear to DR. King KID tried to
borrow 500 more from the doctor, but in
this was unsuccessful. Then he slipped out
of the room, and when the doctor attempted
to follow him he was hindered by those in
the room, but he finally broke through the
Instructions and gained the street. There he
met Miller in front of the house and rated
him roundly as thief and a scoundrel. The
'bunco" man took the rating good humor-
edly, assured the doctor that he was entirely
mistaken, and if he would accompany him
to the Sturtevant House, where he was stop
ping, he would return him the money he
had borrowed. They started for the Sturte-
want House, but on the way Miller gave the
old gentleman the slip and escaped.
The doctor did not report his experience
to the, police, but in going about the city
kept his eye open for his young friend
Meeting him on the street the doctor gave
chase and the bunco steerer was captured
and handed over to policeman. In his
possession was found the usual stock in trade
of bunco steerer-a bank note reporter,
containing list of all the bank officers in
the country.
The doctor, who was under an engagement
to go to Washington to call at the White
House, sent a telegram to President Cleve-
land postponing the visit, so that he could
remain in New York and prosecute the
swindler